Micajah was born 22 Aug 1845 in Davenport, Scott, Iowa. He was educated in Davenport schools and began his career at age 18 in the Davenport Post Office where his brother Charles H. ELDRIDGE was Post Master, and his father Duncan, who had been Davenport's second Post Master, now served as Clerk.

In April 1864, Charles H. ELDRIDGE resigned as Post Master and began a real estate and insurance busines with Micajah, advertised in the 1873 Davenport City Directory:

Micajah began a weekly newspaper, in addition to his business with Charles, in 1874 devoted to the interest of working men, the "Times". He sold the newspaper after unsuccessfully publishing it for 2 years.

On 17 Oct 1865, Pastor James CHALLEN of the Christian Church, married Micajah to Magdelena (enia) L. BERRY, in Davenport. "Maggie" was born 11 Sept 1844 in Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania. The 1850 census for Harrisburg lists "Maggie" BERRY living with her widowed mother, Sarah. (no father named). In 1860 she was living with her grandmother, Sarah LINGLE in Rock Island, Rock Island, Illinois.

Micajah and Maggie were divorced in 1893. Maggie resumed the use of her maiden name, BERRY. She died on her birthday, 11 Sept 1908 in Davenport and is buried on the ELDRIDGE lot in Oakdale Cemetery. They had 8 chidren all in Davenport.

Micajah married Hanna FOWLER EARLE on 26 Sept 1901 in Davenport's Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Hannah was born 3 Apr 1839 in Whitesboro, Oneida, New York to Raphael and Hannah BEJORD FOWLER and came to Davenport with her family in 1857. She married George B. EARLE, a grain dealer, in 1858 (no date) in Davenport.

Micajah and Hanna lived in her home, called "Chattaqua Point", along the river on 8th St. in BEttendorf, Scott, Iowa. Hanna EARLE ELDRIDGE died in her home 28 Mar 1912, and was buried in Oakdale with her first husband and daughter, Mrs. Stella M. BRADDON.

Micajah died 17 Aug 1925 in Davenort. His body was cremated (ashes where?) and a cenotaph (boulder) was placed in his memory in Oakdale.

Children:
Duncan CHALLEN b 21 May 1868 (seperate page)
Sadie Rebecca b 1870 (no date), she died of diptheria on 26 Mar 1891 and is buried in Oakdale
James L. (Lippincott?) b 24 May 1872 and died 5 Aug 1872 at 2 mo. of thrush and is buried in Oakdale.
Anna B (Berry?) born Jan 1873 (no date). She was mentioned in her father's obit as Dr. Annie E. BURNS, wife of Dr. William BURNS, of Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut.
Wallace born 12 Jun 1874 and died at age 1 mo. of cholera 17 Jul 1874
William B (Berry?) born 1877 (no date). He was mentioned in his father's obit as Dr. W. B. ELDRIDGE of Olean, Cattaraugus, New York. His wife was Mary K. (maiden?) ELDRIDGE. (no bio info)
Mary, called "Mae" born 1879 (no date), married Robert E. MOORE, 30 Sept 1903 in Battle Creek, Calhoun, Michigan. Mae was a nurse at the Battle Creek Sanitarium, her husband was a clerk there. She was mentioned in her father's obit as Mrs. Mae MOORE FILES, wife of Jrank Judson FILES of Madison, Somerset, Maine. They were married 12 Jul 1924 in Madison.
S. Benjamin (S ?) b March 1881 (no date). He was mentioned in his father's obit as S.B. ELDRIDGE of Houston, Harris, Texas. His wife's name was Loretta P. ELDRIDGE (no maiden).